FlexiSolar to install UK’s largest solar carport system for Bentley Motors

FlexiSolar, the innovative solar carport specialist based near Cambridge, has started construction of a large scale commercial carport at Bentley Motors’ manufacturing headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire.

In a six-month project due to complete in September 2018, FlexiSolar will construct what is set to become the UK’s largest solar carport system to date, with 10,000 solar panels with a capacity of 2.7MW. The bespoke solar structures will shelter approximately 1,378 car parking spaces at the Bentley manufacturing facility.

Bentley Motors creates handcrafted luxury cars at its factory in Crewe. The prominent manufacturing site already demonstrates a strong commitment to solar as an onsite generation technology, having installed a 5MW solar rooftop installation in 2013.

FlexiSolar is backed by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency driven to support the science and technology innovations that will grow the UK economy.

Speaking about the first of a kind large scale construction in the UK, Robert Carpenter of FlexiSolar said: “We are delighted to confirm details behind the large scale solar carport at Bentley’s manufacturing facility in Crewe. This large scale solar carport system is a clear example of an integrated energy solution; and one that utilises an existing parking area without sacrificing valuable land resources.”

Commenting on the installation, Peter Bosch, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said: “We continue to focus on new initiatives that reinforce our commitment to the environment, whether this is introducing alternative powertrain technologies in future models, or our award-winning work to reduce the environmental impact of our factory.

This solar installation is another example of how we can make our factory more sustainable by using technological innovation. This helps us produce extraordinary cars with responsibly-sourced materials in an efficient manner, while continually striving to reduce the company’s environmental impact.”

FlexiSolar’s solar carport structures are uniquely designed to best fit the requirements and scope of each site. In Crewe, FlexiSolar’s V-Frame Double Row Mono Pitch solar carport design will appear across twenty-seven parking rows.

The new solar carport system at Bentley has also been designed and manufactured by the FlexiSolar team, with the project funded by Guinness Asset Management under a power purchase agreement.

FlexiSolar’s vision is to integrate three core technologies to reduce customers costs and to help decarbonise energy generation and transport. With an expert team benefitting from over 100 years working in the solar industry and the wider renewables sector, the design, manufacturing, installation and operations company focusses on offering innovative solar carport solutions, integrated with battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Bentley Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s four model lines, Bentayga, Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.